Water in Shower Pan

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Am I doing something wrong?  Several times now, we have found water in the shower pan, the latest was today as I was winterizing.  The pan was dry prior to starting winterization and the freshwater tank was empty, but maybe 3 cups in it following running the pump to push RV antifreeze through the lines.  We have the electric drain valve, and it was (to the best of my knowledge) closed.

Cycling the valve, I can hear it actuate, and I assume closed is actually closed, unless there is something clogging the valve.  Both the previous owner and ourselves have rather hairy Wirehair pointing dogs, could that be the issue?  Could it be vibrating open on the road?  Should I cycle the valve prior to using either of the sinks?

Inquiring minds need to know…

[Steph and Dud B]

If the valve is closed, and you put water down the bathroom sink, it will back up into the shower pan. If your valve is open and sink water is still backing up into the shower, I would suspect a clog in the sink drain line downstream of the shower drain.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

16 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:

If the valve is closed, and you put water down the bathroom sink, it will back up into the shower pan. If your valve is open and sink water is still backing up into the shower, I would suspect a clog in the sink drain line downstream of the shower drain.

Bingo!  I assumed the bathroom sink drained into the gray tank.  Thank you!

[SeaDawg]

1 hour ago, Wandering Sagebrush said:

Bingo!  I assumed the bathroom sink drained into the gray tank.  Thank you!

It's an honest mistake you'll only make once.

Just like the ankle high water, when showering, and forgetting to open the valve.

Fortunately,  the valve handle is actually IN the shower are, instead of elsewhere, as in a few other trailers.

 

[topgun2]

2 hours ago, Wandering Sagebrush said:

 I assumed the bathroom sink drained into the gray tank.

Actually - your assumption is correct.  But, as SeaDawg mentions, the valve is located between the shower pan and the grey tank.  This means that when you run water in the bath sink, the water flows towards the grey tank but when it hits that closed valve the water can't flow into the grey tank and, thus, winds up coming up through the drain in the shower pan.

1 hour ago, SeaDawg said:

It's an honest mistake you'll only make once.

I agree that this is an honest mistake.  But, I disagree that you will only do it once - at least if you are anything like me 🤪.  I did this so often that I actually went out and bought a second shower mat so that I could let one dry while I still had one to use.  Of course, once I bought that second mat I've hardy ever had the need to use it.  But, like the good Boy Scout that I used to be - I'm prepared!

Bill

[SeaDawg]

Thanks, @topgun2. I should have been more clear, but I think @Steph and Dud B covered it. The sink doesn't drain "directly" to the grey water tank, as it shares a drain with the shower, and, thus, the valve restricts odors and backup while traveling/jostling, but also means wastewater from the sink has nowhere to go but backing up into the shower, if the valve is closed.

In our boat, our bath hand sink water goes to the toilet. (Water saving/flush help.) In some rvs, sink water goes to black tank. You just have to know where it goes. (as in, I have to remind folks on the boat to make sure the hand sink isn't overflowing the toilet! I installed faucets requiring contact to make sure they were never left running..)

It's all good, once you know your way around.

Former girl scout. Be prepared, for myself, and others. Lol.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

It’s one of those problems created by failing to RTM.  Similar in nature to an issue those of us with an IT background refer to as “Loose nut at keyboard.”

[SeaDawg]

@Wandering Sagebrush, don't be too hard on yourself.  Some of this stuff isn't even in the manual, or it's buried. Or, you heard it and forget.

Wet feet, backed up drain, etc, etc.

I'm guilty of being that loose nut at keyboard, from time to time.

It's all good.

 

 

[ScubaRx]

5 hours ago, Wandering Sagebrush said:

Bingo!  I assumed the bathroom sink drained into the gray tank.  Thank you!

It does drain into the gray tank, but it has to get through that valve first in order to get there.